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Dick's Hometown robber gets five years in prison

A River Falls teenager's attempt to pay off a drug debt will result in him spending the next five years in prison.

Blake Halverson, 18, was charged with armed robbery of Dick's Hometown Liquor last November. After pleading guilty in July, he was sentenced Oct. 26 by Pepin County Judge James Duvall.

Duvall highlighted numerous facts about the incident to hammer home the gravity of the offense.

"It was an armed robbery with the use of a dangerous weapon and a gun pointed at a person," he said. "And for what? To get money for drugs. You were even on drugs while committing this crime.

"You were the leader. This was your idea. You stole a gun from your dad to do this, and you took along minors. It doesn't get much worse than that."

After his release from prison, Halverson will spend the next eight years on extended supervision. Terms include paying restitution, believed to be around $1,500; getting a job or attending school; completing alcohol and drug assessment and following through treatment; no possession or consumption of alcohol; and no contact with Dick's Fresh Market or Dick's Hometown Liquor or any employees involved the night of the incident.

Jason Schulte is a reporter for the New Richmond News since February 2015. Prior to that he spent eight years at the Pierce County Herald in Ellsworth. His duties with the News will include covering news out of Hammond and Roberts along with action from St. Croix County court system. He lives in Roberts.